At a time when record numbers of patients are attending Queensland Emergency Departments, the most critical patients are still being seen on time.
However, less serious patients are being reminded that accessing treatment from more appropriate sources – such as GPs, pharmacies, Satellite Hospitals, or Urgent Care Clinics – will help keep emergency departments available for emergencies.
All 317 Category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving at Sunshine Coast emergency departments, while 74 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.
In the first six months of 2023 we had 8,127 category 5 patients attend Sunshine Coast emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.
Some of these presentations included urinary tract infections and throat infections.
In the most extreme case from May to July, a SCUH patient waited over five hours to be seen.
If you are unsure if you should attend the ED, call 13 HEALTH or your GP for advice.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman:
“Our hospital emergency departments are facing unprecedented demand, with more ED presentations than ever before.
“I want to thank our hardworking frontline health staff, who have ensured that 100% of the most serious presentations were seen within two minutes, despite this demand.
“Our government is investing in more staff, more beds, and more health infrastructure than any government in Queensland history, including $11 billion to build three new hospitals and nine hospital expansions.
“These projects are delivering 3,378 new beds, including 500 new beds in this financial year.
“More staff and more beds are critical to reducing the pressure on our busy EDs.
“Last financial year, Queensland EDs saw over 100 presentations every single day for a UTI. These are not the kinds of emergency conditions our EDs are designed to treat.
“We know that we have had a decade of under investment in GPs and primary care, which is meaning more people are arriving at our EDs.
“I’m grateful that the Albanese government is tripling the bulk billing incentive. The combination of our Satellite Hospitals with Urgent Care Clinics will provide more alternative ways for Queenslanders to get the care they need, close to home.”
Quotes attributable to Sunshine Coast Health Chief Executive Dr Peter Gillies:
“More and more we are seeing people with non-urgent conditions presenting at our emergency departments.
“There are a range of alternative services available for those with less-urgent conditions, including our Caloundra Minor Injury and Illness Clinic.
“We will never refuse care but I encourage everyone to find out the alternative urgent healthcare options available to them to ensure our EDs can be prioritised for seriously ill and injured patients.”
Background
From 2022 through to April 2023, Queensland Hospital Emergency departments saw presentations including:
- 36,911 presentations for a UTI
- 28,064 presentations for attention to surgical dresses and stitches
- 11,995 presentations for an ear infection
- 6,662 requests for repeat medication prescriptions
- 3,764 requests for a medical certificate
- 1,056 presentations for an ingrown toenail
- 280 presentations for sunburn
- 79 presentations for hiccups
